Contact device



April 12,1927. 1,624,476

G. c. CUMMINGS CONTACT DEVICE Filed April 1922 Q //vve/7/0r.' George C. C u m/lvgs.

Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

GEORGE C. CUImGS, ORANGE,

COIPAN'Y, INCORPORATED, OF NEW NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CONTACT DEVICE.

Application filed April 8,

This invention relates to contact devices for relays and the like.

An object ofthe invention is to provide a contact device in which the mechanical rebounding or chattering of the armature is eliminated without sacrificing the sensitiveness of the associated electromagnetic structure.

The invention provides an armature of an electromagnet equipped with two extension feather springs tensioned so that the free ends thereof are in frictional engagement,

thus preventin the springs from vibrating periodicity. t

at their natura Referring to Fig. 1 is I a plan view of an electroma structure showing a contact device em e drawings:

etic odying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the armature and the contact members when in their normal position;

Fig. 3 illustrates the position of the contact device when to the right.

the armature is attracted In the drawings there is shown an electromagnet comprising an energizing cod 8 through which an armature 9 extends, the

armature 9 being clamped between the magnetic members 10, from by non-magnetic members 11, 11.

10, but separated therecomplete the magnetic circuit of the mag- .netic members 10, 10, adjustable pole pieces 12 12 (Fig. 9

has secured to its free end 1) are provided. The armature feather springs 13 and 14, whicl1 are secured by means of rivets or other slmilar connecting means.

Each of the contact springs 13 and 14 has secured'at a (point near its free end a contact button 15.

tioned with resp ontact buttons 15, 15 are posiect to the springs 13 and 14 so as to be in alignment with ad]ustable contact points 16, 16,

through which an electrical circuit is completed in accordance with the operation of the electromagnetic device.

The energizing circuit of the operating coil 8 may be completed upon the op which connects the terminals of the a key 17 eration of coil 8 with a source of current. With this arrangement the movable contacts may be made to engage the op impressing on the con the polarity of which osing contacts 16 for uctor 18 an impulse, is dependent upon the position of the key 17.

In Fig. 2 the sp shown enlarged rings 13 and 14, which are are tensioned so that the frictional engagement 1922. Serial No. 550,708.

by one spring tends to move along a surface of the other spring. Should the springs tend to vibrate, following the engagement thereof with either of the contact points 16, 16, this tendency to vibrate is eliminated due to the frictional engagement of one spring .with another. When rebounding occurs,

such rebounding is absorbed by the conjoint action of the springs, and the springs are, by the frictional engagement of their free ends, substantially prevented from vibrating. Thus by eliminating chattering of the contacts, the life of the contacts themselves is increased, the operation of the apparatus is materially benefitted, and the speed of operation thereof is also increased.

The contact device which forms the basis of the present invention has been shown in connection with a particular type of electromagnetic structure, and it is, of course, obvious that various-departures from the present showing could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. In an electromagnetic mechanism, a contact device comprising a movable element, and a .pair of spring members secured to said element and having their free ends in with each other to prevent their vibration at their natural periodicity upon the operation of said movable element.

2. In combination, a pair of relatively stationary contacts, a pair of movable contacts arranged to cooperate with the stationary contacts, a movable element, and resilient members secured to said element and carrying the movable contacts, the free ends of the resilient members being tensioned so as to be in frictional engagement with each other at all times.

3. In combination, a pair of relatively stationary contacts, a pair of movable contacts arranged to cooperate with the stationary contacts, a movable element, and resilient -members secured to said element and carryproduce a rubbing friction whereby such members when operated are prevented from vibrating at their natural periodicity.

4. In combination, a pair of relatively stationary contacts, a pair of movable contacts arranged to cooperate with the stationary contacts, a movable element, resilient members secured to said movable element and carrying the movable contacts, and operating means for moving said element whereby a rubbing friction is produced between the free ends of said resilient members for preventing said members from vibrating at their natural periodicity.

5. A contact device comprising a pair of spring members rigidly secured at one end and havin only a portion of their other ends at all times in frictional engagement with each other to prevent their vibration at their natural periodicity, and means for moving said members.

6. A relay comprising stationary contacts, movable contacts arranged to.cooperate with said stationary contacts, a pair of spring 95 members substantially parallel and having their free ends movable, and in frictional engagement one with the other and carrying the movable contacts, and an operating coil for producing a magnetic effect sufficient to cause the engagement of the movable contacts with one or the other of the stationary contacts.

7. A high speed relay which is substantially chatterless comprising opposing contacts, two extension springs, rigidly secured at one end and tensioned against each other at their free ends to prevent their vibrations at their natural periodicity, and an operating coil operative to cause said extension springs to engage one or the other of the opposing contacts.

8. A high speed relay comprising an operating coil, an element responsive to the ac tion of current through said operating coil, and two springs secured to said element and tensioned against each other at their free ends to provide a substantially non-chattering relay. 7

In-witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of April A. D., 1922.

GEORGE CUMMINGS. 

